英文閲讀增強美國數學和科學教育的運動

　聽力練習

　　Obama Urges Efforts to Enhance Math, Science Education

The White House has launched a campaign to improve math and science education in the United States. President Barack Obama says the private sector is coming through with talent and money to support the cause.

A student experiment in robotics was front and center at the White House.

The metal contraption built by two teenagers caught and threw a ball. President Obama said the demonstration was held to underscore the importance of science and math education.

"It goes beyond the facts in a biology textbook or the questions on an algebra quiz," said President Obama. "It is about the ability to understand our world, to harness and train that human capacity to solve problems and think critically - a set of skills that informs the decisions we make throughout our lives."

Earlier this year, the president challenged the private sector to join with government in a nationwide effort to boost student achievement in science and mathematics.

He said corporations, universities, non-profit organizations, and professional associations representing millions of scientists, engineers and teachers have embraced the call.

"The initial commitment of the private sector to this campaign is more than $260 million," said Mr. Obama. "And we only expect the campaign to grow."

The money will be used to reach children of all ages. There will be extra resources for teachers and even a new series of television programs for preschoolers.

President Obama will be directly involved in one aspect of the campaign - a White House science fair that will showcase top student experiments from across the country.

He said these young innovators deserve the same acclaim as school sports champions.

"If you win the NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association] championships you come to the White House," said President Obama. "Well, if you are a young person and produce the best experiment or design, the best hardware or software, you ought to be recognized for the achievement, too."

The president called for a greater emphasis on math and science education in a speech to the National Academy of Sciences in April. He said students from many other countries are outperforming the United States, emphasizing his goal is to put America back on top within a decade.

　參考翻譯

白宮發起一項增強美國數學和科學教育的運動。美國總統表示，私營部門提供了所需的財力和物力，幫助該過程的實現。

一項非常重要的學生機器人實驗正在白宮進行。

兩名青少年製作的金屬奇妙裝置正在拋接球。美國總統表示，這次示範活動是為了強調科學和數學教育的重要性。

“這不僅僅是生物學課本上記載的事實，或者代數測驗中的問題，這關乎理解我們的世界的能力，訓練和使用人類的潛能來解決問題和睿智地思考的能力——這是我們一生中做出重大決定所需的一系列技能。”

今年年初，美國總統要求私營部門與政府一起合作，在全國範圍內提高學生在科學和數學方面的成績。

他説，公司，大學，非營利組織和代表數百萬科學家，工程師，教師的專業協會對該要求表示歡迎。

“私營部門對這次活動的首次貢獻超過2.6億美元。我們只希望這個運動能夠迅速發展壯大。”

這筆資金將會用於所有年齡段的'孩子。並且將為教師提供額外的資源，甚至為學前兒童設立一系列電視節目。

美國總統還將直接參與該互動的一個方面——白宮科學展覽會。這次展覽會將展示全國各地優秀學生的實驗。

他説，這些年輕的創新者有資格獲得與運動會冠軍同樣的喝彩。

“如果你獲得了全國大學生運動會的冠軍，你可以來白宮做客。同樣，如果你是一名年輕人，創造出了最好的實驗或設計，最好的硬件或軟件，你也會因為你的成就而得到認可。”

在四月份向美國國家科學院發表講話時，美國總統要求更加強調數學和科學教育。他説，許多其他國家的學生的表現超過了美國。他強調，他的目標是讓美國在十年之內再次處於優勢地位。